AdamG

Looks good👍🍻

Seems like it to me. I cant imagine the new hinge adding that much extra weight.

The top vent could be replaced, Although there is a nice work around to stop the old version from shutting everytime its opened. Basically just line up the 2 screws with the handle/front and the hinge/back of the lid.👍 I had planned to replace my Monolith top vent with the new Kamado Joe top vent a couple of years ago after getting it...this workaround works well enough until it eventually rusts (made from cast iron) and then I will replace it. I think you covered everything to my knowledge👍

Not sure if this helps but.... I had my mind set on a green egg for 3 years...then it was set on a kamado joe classic 2 (dreaming the classic 3 would go on a miracle sale). Literally 2 months before buying the Monolith I had never even heard of the brand. I dont regret my purchase at all but I think that would be the same regardless of brand. Once you have a kamado, you realise brand doesnt matter and you end up enjoying it so much that you dont even look back once you get to grips with them. On a side note there is a great Kamado book called 'Hot Coals' which is a great book that explains the similarities between brands. Its also a great book for learning a great deal of info on them. All the info in the book is obtainable from the web but its still worth a buy to have it all on hand. Unfortunately the decision lies with you in the end sorry😜🍻 ps. I dont know enough about the YNNI brand to really comment though

Something else I thought of after reading The Chairmakers post. While I can vouch first hand for the quality of Monolith, I have never had any problems. As for after sales care they are unknown to me how good they are at replacements under warranty. I could not find any signs of stringing people along or moving goalposts when I made my purchase. That was 2 years ago so maybe it is more clear now? worth checking👍

Thanks Ice! I first seen it last year and thought "hmmm no thanks" but curiosity kept kicking in over time lol

My first attempt at this today. For a while I have been curious about if it is tasty or nasty, so I finally gave it a go it came out delicious! far beyond what I expected. only improvement for next time is a little longer, the topping right in the middle was not quite completely set, but thats an easy problem to sort. The subtle smokiness just seems to complement the sweetness really well

Great to see you made a choice...or have you😉 Its a strange one because its a very difficult decision to make and yet no wrong answer lol. Like The Chairmaker said, both are great at that price level and even surpass (innovation) the big green egg's and primo. Enjoy your purchase and keep in touch with pics of your cooks. I am still the limiting factor with mine😋

This applied to me as well😂🤣😂 After more thought, I think if you get the classic 1 bundle... you may have wished you got one of the others. the rotisserie is great but can be bought at a later time, leaving you to focus on low and slow etc for the time being

The classic 2 is defo the best choice out of all 3 versions. classic 3 is just poorly priced. @The Chairmaker Your experience of lids come from Pit Boss, mine comes from Monolith. I assume this is the reason why we have a different view on the airlift if the have a different design? Take note Craig that I do not know what the old hinge system on a classic 1 is like, they maybe completely different to Monoliths? (more research for you😉) Also @Craig Price I would look at Monolith as a 'different' brand rather than 'better'. This is based on the ceramics, included accessories and their ability to cook (most important)

the woodchip feeder is a defo gimmick, you could use it if you forget to add woodchips....but lifting the grid is just as quick, precise positioning of chunks and your not limited to just small chips (chunks wont fit). I will say though that after 2 years of my old style hinge, I honestly believe Kamado Joe 'solved' a problem that does not seem to exist just so they could use their unique air hinge as a sales pitch. My lid has never slammed down and I have never needed it to be half open. I wouldn't put it in the 'gimmick' group like the woodchip feeder, but certainly not a necessity. Maybe just a luxury On second thought, maybe the air hinge is justified if you go with big joe/le chef size due to extra weight, mine is a classic size and I have not used a larger size

yeah I know the feeling, I had the same after my purchase (should i have got a classic 2). The 3 things I had in my head were... 1, they both produce the same level of food, its the user that makes the difference. 2, There is no 'wrong' choice between them 3, which exclusive extras are more appealing (this is the hard one by far lol) I think you will be happy with either and after a couple of months you wont look back👍

I was going to say 'go for Monolith' since they have a better bundle than kj and the stainless steel is far superior to the powder coated mild steel bands.....but then I seen what you have been offered😲👍 If you get the kj classic 1 bundle....then buy the divide and conquer grid, aluminium top vent (better design, but not at all needed) and then eventually replace the felt (2 years time?) with the fibre gasket. You will then have a kj classic 2 with all those accessories👍👍 The firebox on the classic 1 is an all-in-one design which will eventually crack (apparently?), but you are covered under warranty and may get a split version as a free replacement. I was stuck between Monolith and Kamado Joe 2 years ago and went with Monolith pro series 1.0 bbq edition and absolutely love it....but that decision was pretty much a flip of the coin since it was so close. But if I had the deal you have found then I think I would have gone with that and eventually 'turned' it into a classic 2👍👍 If you still want more info on Monolith (since they are superb at marketing🤔🙄) then there is an older post were someone was asking about more details and I put some pics and info up. Worth a read😁

shiny new kamado incoming! (the like is for the service....not the crack😱)

That is a great design Hoogl, love the idea behind the side tables/roof idea!👍 I would say this idea is much more suited than mine for a mini kamado😎

yeah I will share some pics once its done. Although it will be a while before its finished, Im going away in the 1st week of June so I will be starting the build after that (i hope to be finished by the end of june). I started by measuring every dimension on the kamado and then planned around that, im going to make it about the same height as a kitchen worktop since that is a nice height🙂. One thing i am considering is getting a waterproof extension (if they exist?) and fastening to the underside so plugs can be hidden...not sure on the solution yet though lol

Im sure you will be happy with your purchase👍🎉

I am in the process of just designing my kamado table/countertop. Mine is going to have the kamado sit inside the left side of the table (similar to all the tables you see on the web) and have some worktop space to the right. A big cupboard with door on the right side (with adjustable shelf) and a small cupboard with door on the left/under the kamado. Bottom half of the kamado will be covered with a louvered lift off panel for easy access. I am currently in the process of changing/playing with the sizes to keep cost down as much as possible...easier said than done though because I will be making it out of stainless steel....which is expensive🤔 Im having a bottle opener on it though! thats what turns it into a 'luxury' countertop haha 😂🤣😂 A mini fridge would be nice🍻 Are you just looking for ideas at the moment?

Not taken any pics of cooks for ages, roughly 10 months according to this post lol (I even forgot I created this topic) Here are some pics of a 'Tulsa Torpedo' (taken from project smoke book), turned out delicious but next time I will use less sausage meat to make rolling easier. Stuffed with smoked cheddar, chilli sausages, black pudding and chorizo. Smoked with hickory for 3 hours at 250f😋

great to know for future thanks!👍

welcome to the forum! I was once told a saying, "ask a silly question, feel silly for 5 minutes. Dont ask a silly question, feel silly for life". Since then I ask lots! haha Plenty of people here who are happy to help. There is a post about the Aldi Kamado thats worth a read through, lots of great advice and possibly some info that you may not have questioned yet👍 Most info from this post is relative to all kamado's 🍻

Welcome to the forum👍

Im sure it will be fine👍

Looks lika another great option and can see some good choices by the manufacturer 👍🍻

Hi Gary, I have had a Monolith (big green egg competitor) for almost 3 years and love it, but judging by pics and posts of other users I dont think there is much difference in the food that comes of them. I have never used an aldi one personally so this is just my impression from others. If your happy with your aldi one maybe consider another one of those😜 Or see if you can go and have a look at the kamado joe/monolith/green egg showrooms to get a personal look👍